Newly appointed Roads Authority chief executive Mbahupu Tjivikua was the subject of a sexual harassment investigation earlier this year during his tenure as head of the Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG).
Although Tjivikua was cleared of sexual harassment allegations, his appointment as Roads Authority chief raises concerns about how senior executives are vetted and highlights the ongoing public debate over how organisations handle sexual harassment cases.
Documents and correspondence seen by The Namibian show that a former staff member accused Tjivikua of inappropriate conduct, prompting the board to appoint law firm Köpplinger Boltman van Greunen to carry out an external investigation.
The group’s chairperson, Andrew Kanime, has confirmed that allegations were lodged by a former employee, but says an independent investigation cleared Tjivikua of any wrongdoing.
Tjivikua also denies wrongdoing to The Namibian, claiming it is an attempt to damage his reputation.
The alleged victim, through her lawyer Richard Metcalfe, accused Tjivikua of sexual harassment, including claims that he asked her to address him as ‘Tate Tjivikua’ – tate meaning father in Oshiwambo.
In a written response to The Namibian, Kanime – who is also the Namibian Ports Authority’s chief executive and represented the port parastatal on the corridor group board – says the complaint was reviewed by “an independent investigator and a seasoned lawyer”.
He says the investigation was conducted thoroughly, and found that the allegations were “unsubstantiated and without grounds”.
“These allegations are devoid of any truth.
An external independent investigation by a reputable lawyer who was appointed by the board indicated that these allegations are baseless. Additionally the complainant only resigned yesterday and is currently serving notice,” he said.
The complainant alleges that the harassment took place last year on several occasions, after which she reported the matter to the group board through her lawyer.
According to a document dated 1 December, addressed to the group, the complainant resigned, citing her belief that she could not return “to work with sexual predators.”
However, she is reportedly still receiving her full salary despite no longer being at the organisation.
Kanime says the corridor group remains committed to maintaining a safe, respectful and supportive working environment where employees feel protected when raising sensitive concerns.
The group upholds transparency but is also conscious of the confidentiality governing internal employment matters, he adds.
THE ALLEGATIONS
The complainant formally reported sexual harassment and chauvinistic behaviour against Tjivikua and another manager on 22 November 2024.
In her initial correspondence, she set out claims of a “toxic environment” within the organisation.
On 23 November 2024, her lawyers escalated the grievance to the WBCG board of directors, requesting intervention and corrective action.
On 19 March, the law firm Köpplinger Boltman Van Greunen Legal Practitioners informed her that they had been appointed to investigate the allegations and summoned her for an interview on 20 March.
She tendered her resignation and confirmed her intention to pursue both civil and criminal action.
“Our client will not return to work with sexual predators and hereby tenders 30 days’ notice effective as from 1 December of her resignation,” the lawyers’ document reads.
Tjivikua says the allegations are “false, baseless and defamatory, and a desperate attempt to tarnish [his] good name and reputation”.
He says he left the corridor group with a clean record and his reputation intact.
“My conscience is clear. My right to recourse is also strictly reserved,” he adds.
WBCG acting chief executive Edward Shivute wrote to the alleged victim on 24 November with the subject line: ‘Finalisation of investigation report and requirement to resume duty’.
“This letter serves to inform you that the independent investigation commissioned by WBCG has been finalised, and the final report, dated 18 November, has been reviewed.
The outcome indicates that there is not sufficient evidence to support a finding that a prima facie case has been made out to charge the employees against whom the allegations were made,” Shivute writes.
The Roads Authority board, appointed for six months by transport minister Veikko Nekundi, appointed Tjivikua in November despite his previous suspension and reported misconduct at TransNamib, where he previously served in an executive role.
The board said it has confidence in Tjivikua’s appointment, and that his “strategic vision and operational expertise will advance the organisation’s mandate to develop and maintain a world-class national road network”.
Tjivikua is linked to an unresolved fraud case at TransNamib.
The Namibian previously reported that he was suspended in May 2017 from TransNamib after allegations of serious misconduct.
An investigation found that Tjivikua was implicated in fraud involving N$60 million.
The allegations centred on a contract awarded to RMH Logistics for the rehabilitation and installation of pumps and diesel tanks at TransNamib’s Walvis Bay depot. The Namibian’s sources claimed the tender was inflated.
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